Klarinet Archive - Posting 000028.txt from 1997/05

From: Jrykorten@-----.com
Subj: Re: Air : amount,speed,presure etc.
Date: Fri, 2 May 1997 18:16:44 -0400

In a message dated 97-05-01 09:45:49 EDT, you write:

<<
Does science ( or we the wind-players) know what air parameters influence
what sound parameters ?

I mean:

Is it the air speed which makes the ff ? or is it the amount of air
?

Thanks

Yossi
>>

The amplitude of the oscillations determine the loudness. Sound is
alternating high pressure and low pressure wave fronts that travel
spherically through air, like wavelets travel away from a stone thrown into
water (in two dimensions). The louder the sound the more intense (higher
amplitude) the compression of the air (which are the high pressure waves).

About your previous question: The better Clarinettists project in concert
halls by developing a good tone, with enough partials, such that the
characteristic sound is recognizable in the back of the hall. A good
Clarinettist will also choose a reed that accomodates the acoustics of a hall
(dead hall live reed, live hall darker reed).

Jerry Korten
NYC